Power source control for medical capsules

ABSTRACT

A power source apparatus and a system incorporating said power source for medical capsules are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention allow the medical capsule to enable/disable electrical power supplied to a sub-system in the capsule device without special tools and/or skills after the medical capsule is manufactured. In one embodiment, the power source apparatus comprises a plunger responsive to a magnetic field, a spring to interact with the plunger, a battery and a control piece. The plunger is moved between first and second positions according to a magnetic field applied externally. Accordingly, the control piece enables or disables the power depending on the plunger positions. In another embodiment, a capsule system uses an electrical interconnect with pressure contacts between the power source and the capsule sub-system connecting the second circuit board to the power-output nodes.

CROSS REFERENCE

The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication, No. 61/603,028, filed on Feb. 24, 2012, entitled “PowerSource Control for Medical Capsules”. The U.S. Provisional PatentApplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to in vivo medical devices that areadministered into the human body. In particular, the present inventionrelates to power source control for medical capsules.

BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART

Various types of medical capsules have been widely used in the field,where the medical capsules are ingested into a human body for in vivomonitoring or examining purposes. For example, a medical capsule can beused to monitor the pH value of the gastrointestinal tract ortemperature of different human organs. A medical capsule may also beused to deliver medicines to desired spots inside the human body or tocollect samples, such as body fluids, inside a human body. Usually, themedical capsule includes a power source, such as batteries, so that thecapsule can monitor/measure data, dispense medicine, or collect samplesinside the human body without the need of external power. The powersource along and other components of the medical capsule are enclosedinside a smooth housing adapted for easy swallowing. The power sourceand other components of the medical capsule are sealed in a housing. Itis not easy to access the power source and other components of themedical capsule, after the medical capsule is manufactured, to enable ordisable the power without special tools and/or skills. Furthermore, themedical capsule may not be administered soon after it is manufactured.Also, the medical capsule may have to be operational for extended hoursduring the course of travelling through the human tract; the powersource is preferred to be disabled until right before it is administeredinto the human body. In other words, the power source to the medicalcapsule is enabled when the capsule is ready for administering into apatient's body. It is desirable to develop power-efficient, reliable andcompact apparatus of power source control for medical capsules. Thehousing for the medical capsule may be fully sealed or watertight sothat there is no direct access to any components inside the housing.Therefore, the power source has to be operated without opening thehousing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A power source apparatus for medical capsule is disclosed. In oneembodiment according to the present invention, the power sourceapparatus for medical capsules comprises a plunger, a spring, a batteryand a circuit piece. The plunger is responsive to a magnetic field. Theplunger is pushed by the spring to a first position when the magneticfield is removed, and the plunger compresses the spring to a secondposition when the magnetic field is applied. The circuit piece comprisespower output contacts, and wherein power from the battery is enabled atthe power output contacts with the plunger at the first position and thepower from the battery is disabled at the power output contacts with theplunger at the second position. In one embodiment according to thepresent invention, the spring is disposed to have one end of the springagainst a fixed structure and other end of the spring against a top sideof the plunger. In another embodiment according to the presentinvention, the plunger comprises a rod-portion and a flange-portion at alower end of the rod-portion, and wherein the spring is disposed aroundthe rod-portion of the plunger to have one end of the spring against afixed structure and other end of the spring against the flange. In oneembodiment, the circuit piece comprises a circuit board attached to theplunger. When the plunger is moved between the first position and thesecond position, it causes the circuit board connected to ordisconnected from a terminal of the battery and consequently causes thepower source enabled or disabled respectively. In another embodimentaccording to the invention, the plunger comprises two conductive bumpsto cause the battery enabled or disabled depending on the plunge at thefirst position or the second position. The circuit piece comprises acircuit board having a battery-contact-pad on one side of the circuitboard and power-control-pads on other side of the circuit board, whereinthe circuit board is disposed in a stationary position to makeelectrical contact between the battery-contact-pad and a terminal of thebattery, and wherein said two power-control-pads are electricallyconnected by said two conductive bumps when the plunger is at the firstposition and electrically disconnected when the plunger is at the secondposition.

A capsule camera system including the power source is also disclosed. Inone embodiment according to the present invention, the capsule camerasystem comprises a housing adapted to be swallowed, a power sourcewithin the housing, and a capsule sub-system within the housing, whereinthe capsule sub-system is coupled to the power output contacts toreceive power from the power source. The power source within the housingcomprises a plunger responsive to a magnetic field, a spring disposed tointeract with the plunger, a battery, and a circuit piece coupled to thebattery and the plunger. The plunger is pushed by the spring to a firstposition when the magnetic field is removed, and the plunger compressesthe spring to a second position when the magnetic field is applied. Thecircuit piece comprises power output contacts, and wherein power fromthe battery is enabled at the power output contacts with the plunger atthe first position and the power from the battery is disabled at thepower output contacts with the plunger at the second position. Thecapsule sub-system within the housing comprises a light source, a camerafor capturing a digital image of a scene illuminated by the lightsource, and an archival memory to store or a transmitter to wirelesslytransmit data corresponding to the digital image and other data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates one example of the capsule camera system comprisinga battery power source and a capsule sub-system interconnected using acable.

FIG. 1B illustrates one example of the capsule camera system comprisinga battery power source and a capsule sub-system, where a spring is usedto keep parts snug fit inside the housing.

FIG. 1C illustrates one example of the capsule camera system comprisinga battery power source and two capsule sub-systems, where a spring isused to keep parts snug fit inside the housing.

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of the capsule camera systemincorporating a battery power source according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example of the capsule camera systemincorporating a battery power source according to another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example of the battery power source embodying thepresent invention, where a circuit board is attached to a plunger forpower enable/disable control.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example of the battery power source embodyingthe present invention, where a circuit board is attached to a plungerfor power enable/disable control.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of the battery power source embodying thepresent invention, where a plunger with conducting bumps is used forpower enable/disable control.

FIG. 7 illustrates one example of the battery power source embodying thepresent invention, where the battery power source is shrink-wrapped intoa module.

FIGS. 8A-B illustrate two exemplary circuit schematics for the powersource with two batteries in series, where a switch incorporating anembodiment of the present invention is connected in series with a poweroutput node and a battery pole.

FIG. 9 illustrates a capsule device uses an electrical interconnect withpressure contacts between the power source and the capsule sub-systemconnecting the second circuit board to the power-output nodes

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various types of medical capsules have been widely used in the field,where the medical capsules are ingested into a human body for in vivomonitoring or examining purposes. For example, a medical capsule can beused to monitor the pH value of the gastrointestinal tract ortemperature of different human organs. A medical capsule may also beused to deliver medicines to desired spots inside the human body or tocollect samples, such as body fluids, inside a human body. Usually, themedical capsule includes a power source, such as batteries, so that thecapsule can monitor/measure data, dispense medicine, or collect samplesinside the human body without the need of external power. The powersource along and other components of the medical capsule are enclosedinside a smooth housing adapted for easy swallowing. The power sourceand other components of the medical capsule are sealed in a housing. Itis not easy to access the power source and other components of themedical capsule, after the medical capsule is manufactured, to enable ordisable the power without special tools and/or skills. Furthermore, themedical capsule may not be administered soon after it is manufactured.Also, the medical capsule may have to be operational for extended hoursduring the course of travelling through the human tract; the powersource is preferred to be disabled until right before it is administeredinto the human body. In other words, the power source to the medicalcapsule is enabled when the capsule is ready for administering into apatient's body. It is desirable to develop power-efficient, reliable andcompact apparatus of power source control for medical capsules. Thehousing for the medical capsule may be fully sealed or watertight sothat there is no direct access to any components inside the housing.Therefore, the power source has to be operated without opening thehousing.

Capsule camera is a type of medical capsule that has been widely used inthe medical field as an alternative to the conventional endoscopy toexamine the gastrointestinal tract. The camera is housed in aswallowable capsule, along with a radio transmitter for transmittingdata, primarily comprising images recorded by the digital camera, to anexternal receiver/data recorder or an on-board storage to store thecaptured images. The capsule may also include a radio receiver forreceiving instructions or other data from a base-station transmitter.The capsule travels through the gastrointestinal tract and will beevacuated from the human body after long hours. The speed of the capsulemovement inside the body varies greatly from person to person. Also thespeed varies greatly for different parts of the GI tract. For example,the average transit time for a capsule camera to travel through thesmall bowel is about 5 hours while the average transit time to travelthrough the colon is about 10 hours. Therefore, power becomes even morecritical for the success of capsule camera, and a power efficient andeasy to use power control is very desirable.

In the following description, various aspects of the present inventionwill be described. For purposes of illustration, specific configurationsand details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understandingof the present invention. However, it will also be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced withoutthe specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well-known featuresmay be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the presentinvention.

FIG. 1A shows a swallowable capsule system 100A comprising battery powersource 120 and capsule sub-system 130. Battery power source 120 andcapsule sub-system 130 are interconnected by electrical interconnection140. Battery power source 120, capsule sub-system 130, and electricalinterconnection 140 are enclosed inside housing 110. Capsule sub-system130 may include processor, memory, image sensor, illumination source,on-board archival memory, and output port. Instead of using on-boardstorage, the capsule camera may also use a transmitter with antenna totransmit the captured images to a base station located outside the humanbody. The capsule may use a wireless transmitter that sends signalsthrough the body by electrical conduction. Furthermore, the capsulecamera may also include other sensors such as pH or temperature sensor.Battery power source 120 includes control mechanism so that the powercan be enabled or disabled by applying a control means externally.

FIG. 1B illustrates an alternative capsule camera arrangement 100Binside the capsule camera, where spring 150 is used to keep the partssnug fit inside the housing. Capsule sub-system 132 is pushed by spring150 toward battery power source 120. A stop mechanism 152 may bedisposed between the battery power source and the capsule subsystem tolimit how far the spring pushes the capsule subsystem towards batterypower supply. The stop mechanism 152 may be an extruded structure fromthe housing or a rigid spacer between capsule sub-system 132 and batterypower source 120. Other means of stop mechanism may also be used.Electrical interconnection 140 may be implemented using flexible cableor rigid connector. The flexible cable may include multiple insulatedflexible conductors (wires) inside or on a rubber matrix to provide acompliant electrical interconnect. The wires may be metallic wires orconsist of carbon particles embedded in layers of the rubber matrix. Theflexible cable may consist of a rubber block matrix with flexibleconductive stripes wrapping around the side of the block from top tobottom, which may be made of silver, gold, or other conductive material,coating the outside of the rubber block. For example, Fujiply of Japanmakes various flexible interconnects of these types under the name“zebra connector”. The flexible cable makes a pressure contact to thepads on the PCB. The conductors of the cable are not bonded to the padsby solder, welding, or conductive adhesive. Rather the contact is madeby the two conductors touching the pad with some pressure. The pressureis produced by the force exerted by spring 150 (as shown in FIG. 1B) orby the spring force of the compressed cable itself.

When a rigid connector is used, the rigid connector may also serve asthe spacer to provide the stop mechanism. FIG. 1C illustrates anotheralternative capsule camera arrangement 100C inside the capsule camera,where the capsule camera comprises capsule sub-system A (134A) andcapsule sub-system B (134B) interconnected by electrical interconnect160. Spring 152 is used to keep the parts snug fit inside the housing.Spring 152 pushes capsule sub-system A (134A) toward battery powersource 120 and there is a need for a mechanism to stop capsulesub-system 134A from moving beyond a point. Spring 152 also pushescapsule sub-system B (134B) against the bottom end of housing 110 tokeep components inside the housing snug fit. This implies thatcomponents will not move relative to each when the capsule isaccelerated, up to some level of acceleration. Also, electrical contactis maintained between adjacent components within the battery powersource and within the capsule subassembly and between the capsulesubassembly, the electrical interconnect, and the battery power source.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment according to the present inventionwhere the battery power source comprises switch 210, battery pack(batteries 220A and 220B), circuit boards or PCB pads 232 and 234, andinterconnection cables 242 between circuit boards or PCB pads 232 and234. While two batteries are used for the battery pack as an example, asingle battery or more than two batteries may also be used. A batterytypically has two terminal (“+” and “−” terminals). When multiplebatteries are used, they can be configured for serial connection orparallel connection. Circuit boards or PCB pads 232 and 234 are mainlyused to route power from battery pack to sub-system and may not need anyactive or passive components. While circuit boards are used as anexample to provide connectivity for battery power under the control ofan external magnet, other circuit piece may also be used. For example,flat flexible circuit may also be used. The battery power sourcesupplies power to the capsule system through contact nodes 244 oncircuit board 234. Circuit boards 232 and 234 may be implemented basedon rigid board or flexible board. Switch 210 controls power sourceenabling and disabling. An electronic switch using a light sensor tocontrol enable/disable will consume power to operate. Therefore anon-power consuming means is a preferred way to implement the switch. Asshown in FIG. 2, an external magnet 201 is used with switch 210 fornon-power consuming operations. During storage or transport, the powerto the capsule system is turned off and the power is supplied to thecapsule system shortly before it is administered into the human body.Other components enclosed in housing 110 may include transmitter 250,processor/controller/memory 270, LEDs 280, sensor 290 and lens 292 asshown in FIG. 2. Two or more conductive pins 240 are used to connectpower source to the sub-systems. The bases of conductive pins 240 at thelower end can be soldered onto rigid circuit board 236. The tips ofconductive pins 240 on the top side are pushed by spring 260 to makepressure contacts with circuit board 234. Pins 240 may be compliant. Forexample they may be “pogo pins” comprising spring loaded plunger pinssliding in tubular receptacles. If pins 240 are compliant, spring 260may be omitted. Parts for transmitter 250 are also mounted on circuitboard 236. Similarly, processor, controller, memory, sensor, lightsource (LEDs) and other required circuits are mounted on circuit board238. Lens 292 projects field of view onto sensor 290. Lens 292 issupported by or attached to a lens holding structure which is not shownin the FIG. 2. Circuit boards 236 and 238 are interconnected by cable242 to carry power and signals between the two boards. The componentsshown in FIG. 2 illustrate an example of interconnection within thecapsule housing and the drawing may not be shown according to the actualscale. The capsule camera in FIG. 2 shows an example of forward-lookingarrangement, where the field of view covers the front side (bottom side)of the capsule camera.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment according to the present inventionwhere the capsule camera 300 has a panoramic view around the camera.Capsule camera 300 includes the same battery power source as that forcapsule camera 200. The objective imaging system (lens) 310 combinesfields of view from two or more sides around the capsule camera andprojects the combined fields of view onto sensor 320. Circuit boards 334and 336 are used to accommodate various components such as sensor 320,processor/controller/memory 330, transmitter/output port 340, lightsource (LEDs) 322 and other required circuits. Circuit boards 334 and336 are interconnected by cable 344 to pass power and signals. Circuitboard 332 is used to accommodate additional light source (LEDs) 322 andto connect to power source through electrical interconnect 352, whichmay be made of flexible cable or rigid connectors. In case thatelectrical interconnect 352 is made of flexible cable, holders 354 maybe needed. The holders constrain the lateral position of the flexiblecable. The holders may also serve as a stop mechanism, limiting how muchelectrical interconnect 352 is compressed by the force created by thespring 360.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary battery power source 400 embodying thepresent invention where plunger 420 is shown in a pulled-up position tocause power source disabled. The switch comprises spring 410, plunger420 and circuit board (or circuit pad) 432. Circuit board 432 isattached to plunger 420 so that circuit board 432 can be pulled up orpushed down by plunger 420. When circuit board 432 is pushed down,circuit board 432 will cause power source enabled. For example, thefirst polarity terminal on the top side of battery 220A is connected toa node on circuit board 432 when circuit board 432 is pushed down byplunger 420. The first polarity terminal on the top side of battery 220Ais then routed to pad 434 on circuit board 234. The second polarityterminal is routed to another pad 436 on circuit board 234 by contactinga pad with the bottom side of battery 220B. The top terminal of 220Bcontacts the bottom terminal of 220A. Therefore, when circuit board 432is pushed down by plunger 420, both polarity terminals are routed tocontact pads 434 and 436 on circuit board 234 to enable power source.When circuit board 432 is pulled up by plunger 420, one polarityterminal is disconnected from circuit board 234 to disable the powersource. Spring 410 is placed on top of plunger 420 and is stopped on thetop end by a fixed structure 412. The plunger has two sides with oneside toward the spring and the other side toward circuit board 432. Theside of the plunger toward the spring is called the top side in thisdisclosure. Without external force, spring 410 is configured to becompressed so that spring 410 pushes plunger 420 and fixed structure412, which may be part of the housing 110 or a separate piece. Sincefixed structure is stationary, spring 410 will push plunger 420 down toenable power source. However, when the top end of the capsule camera isplaced near a magnet or a magnetic field is applied to the top of thecapsule camera, the magnetic force will pull plunger 420 up so that thecontact pad 426 on the bottom of circuit board 432 will be disconnectedfrom the first polarity terminal on the top of battery 220A.Alternatively, spring 410 may be attached to fixed structure 412 or partof fixed structure 412 to cause plunger 420 to be pressed down withoutexternal force. When plunger 420 is pulled up by magnetic force, spring410 is further compressed. Plunger 420 is made of or containsferromagnetic materials, such as iron or ferrimagnetic material such asferrite. An optional conductor between contact pad 422 and battery maybe used. FIG. 4 illustrates a scenario that magnet 201 is placed nearthe top of the capsule camera to cause the switch to disable the powersource. Spring 410 may be in various forms or may be made of variousmaterials. For example the spring may be made of a foam material withsufficient elasticity so that it can be compressed when pressure isapplied and returns to normal form quickly with the pressure removed.The spring may also be a coil spring or a cantilever spring. Spring 410in one embodiment according to the present invention can be in a firstcompressed position when spring 410 is pressed by plunger 420. Theaction that plunger 420 presses spring 410 is caused by the magneticforce and the action will cause at least one battery terminaldisconnected from power output nodes 434 and 436. When the magneticforce is removed, spring 410 tends to recover its original shape andsubsequently pushes plunger 420 down to enable the power source.Accordingly, an external magnetic force is used to disable the powersource and a mechanical means (spring) is used to enable the powersource. Until the capsule device is ready for swallowing, the device isnormally off and no internal power is required to keep it off.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative battery power source embodying thepresent invention, where plunger 520 is shown in a pulled-up position tocause power source disabled. Plunger 520 comprises a rod portion 522 anda flange portion 524. Spring 510 can be a ring-shaped device surroundingplunger 520. Alternatively, spring 510 may be implemented in twoseparate pieces on two sides of plunger 520. Spring 510 is always in acompressed state so that it pushes against a fixed structure 512 andflange 524 of plunger 520. Fixed structure 512 may be part of housing110 or a separate piece. In another embodiment according to the presentinvention, spring 510 may be implemented in multiple separate piecesevenly distributed around plunger 520. Circuit board 432 is attached toplunger 520 so that circuit board 432 is pulled away from the top sideof battery 220A when plunger 520 is pulled up by magnetic force. Similarto the configuration of FIG. 4, spring 510 will press flange portion 524of plunger 510 down to cause pad 426 on circuit board 432 to connect tothe top side of battery 220A when the magnetic force is removed.Alternatively, spring 510 may be attached to fixed structure 512 or partof fixed structure 512 to cause plunger 520 to be pressed down withoutexternal force.

FIG. 6 illustrates another alternative battery power source 600embodying the present invention, where plunger 620 is shown in apushed-down position to cause power source enabled. Plunger 620comprises a rod portion 622 and a flange portion 624. The flange may belocated at the lower end of the rod, as shown in FIG. 6, or further upthe rod. Spring 610 and plunger 620 are configured in a similar way asthat of FIG. 5. However, circuit board 632 is stationary and pad 634 oncircuit board 632 is always connected to the top side of battery 220A.There are two pads 636A and 636B on the top side of circuit board 632.One of the two pads is connected to the top side of battery 220A and theother pad is connected to one battery terminal node on circuit board 234through cable 424. The bottom side of battery 220B is routed to theother battery terminal node on circuit board 234. When power controlpads 636A and 636B are electrically connected, the power source isenabled since both battery polarities are routed to the battery terminalpads on the bottom of circuit board 234. Two conductive bumps 638A and638B on the bottom side of plunger 620 are electrically connected.Alternatively, a single raised ring could replace the two bumps.Alternatively, conductive bumps may be attached to the pads rather thanon the plunger. Pointed or edged structures that reduce contact areawill increase contact pressure for a given plunger force. Otherstructures to facilitate electrical connection between 638A and 638B viathe plunger known to a skilled person may also be used. When plunger 620is pressed down by spring 610 on flange 624, conductive bumps 638A and638B will contact pads 636A and 636B respectively to cause pad 636Aelectrically connected to pad 636B to enable power source. FIG. 6 alsoillustrates an exemplary structure, i.e., switch holder 650, to holdvarious parts of the switch in position. Switch holder 650 is configuredto accommodate spring 610, plunger 620 and circuit board 632 and toallow plunger 620 to move up and down. Alternatively, spring 610 may beattached to fixed structure 512 or part of switch holder 650 to causeplunger 620 to be pressed down without external force.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternative battery power source 700embodying the present invention, where plunger 620 is shown in apushed-down position to cause power source enabled. Battery power source700 is shown outside capsule housing 110. Battery power source 700 shownin FIG. 7 is in a modular form factor where all parts are held togetherfor easy handling. Another advantage of the modular form factor is tosimplify the capsule camera manufacturing. Power source module 700 maybe manufactured and tested separately from the rest of the system. Whenthe capsule camera is assembled, power source module 700 can be insertedinto housing 110. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of using film material710 to wrap around the parts for battery power source. In one embodimentaccording to the present invention, the parts for battery power sourceare stacked vertically. Film material 710 may be shrink wrapped aroundthe vertically stacked parts, where the vertically stacked parts can beput into film material 710 having a tube shape and heat is applied tocause film material 710 to shrink. After film material 710 shrinks, allthe parts for the power source module 700, including switch holder 650,spring 610, plunger 620 circuit boards 632 and 234, cable 424, andbatteries 220A and 220B, will be held together tightly by film material710.

Various embodiments according to the present invention of battery powersource for capsule camera have been described above via severalexamples. The capsule camera incorporating battery power sourceaccording to the present invention is capable of enabling power byremoving magnetic field applied. During storage or transportation of thecapsule camera, magnetic field is applied to keep the power in adisabled state. The magnetic field may be generated from a magnet orusing an electrical means.

One or more magnets may be placed at the tip of the capsule or on one ormore sides of the capsule to actuate the switch and turn off thecapsule.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B illustrate two exemplary circuit schematics of thepower source with two batteries in series. Alternatively, one battery ormore than two batteries could be used in series. Also, batteries couldbe connected in parallel or a combination of parallel and seriesconnections to form a battery assembly. The battery assembly 810 has twopolarities, positive and negative. The battery assembly poles areconnected to the power source output nodes 821 and 822. A switch 830 maybe placed between the battery assembly and one or both of the outputpower nodes. In FIG. 8A, switch 830 is connected in series between thepositive battery pole and the positive output node. In FIG. 8B, switch830 is placed between the negative battery pole and the negative outputnode. In some embodiments the switch may be positioned inside a capsulessub-system rather than in the power source.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary capsule system incorporating an embodiment ofthe present invention. Capsule system 900 uses flexible compliantelectrical interconnect 910 to connect the power source to a capsulesubsystem with pressure contacts at one or both sides of the electricalinterconnect. Flexible compliant electrical interconnect 910 allowsmultiple pressure contacts to be made between two circuit boards 912 and914. The power source comprises batteries 926A and 926B that are coupledto circuit board 912 via battery contact pads 916 and 918, flexiblecable 920, and circuit board 922. Furthermore, the connection from thebatteries to the circuit board 912 is controlled by switch 924, whichincorporates an embodiment of the present invention such as the switchillustrated in FIG. 6. An electrical interconnect with rigid conductorsis generally unable to apply adequate pressure for all conductorssimultaneously. The electrical interconnect may be intersected by acenter line of the capsule so that an excessive moment is not applied tothe power source or the capsule subsystem. The electrical interconnectmay be an elastomeric connector such as a Zebra connector, pogo pins,springs, flexible metal tabs, or any other device with flexibleconductors that maintains an electrical connection between metalcontacts on either side of the electrical interconnect. FIG. 9illustrates an example of using contacts 928 and 932 connected torespective circuit boards 912 and 914 to allow electrical interconnect910 to connect circuit boards 912 and 914. However, one side ofelectrical interconnect 910 may have conductors soldered to a PCB whilethe other side forms pressure contacts. At least one side of theelectrical interconnect forms a pressure contacts to a circuit board,either in the power source or in the capsule subsystem. Stop mechanism930 sits between the power source and the subsystem so that thecompression of electrical interconnect 910 is limited. In order to pushthe sub-system towards the power source until it reaches the stopmechanism 930, spring 940 can be used. In the exemplary system shown inFIG. 9, the spring 940 pushes the circuit board 950 and the forceexerted by spring 940 further pushes circuit board 914 towards the powersource. The stop mechanism may also serve as a holder to constrain themotion of electrical interconnect 910. The stop mechanism may beattached to the capsules subsystem, the power source, both, or neither.Electrical interconnect 910 can be located along a longitudinalcenterline 960 of the capsule.

The above description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skillin the art to practice the present invention as provided in the contextof a particular application and its requirement. Various modificationsto the described embodiments will be apparent to those with skill in theart, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to otherembodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to belimited to the particular embodiments shown and described, but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures herein disclosed. In the above detailed description, variousspecific details are illustrated in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may bepracticed.

1. A power source apparatus for medical capsules, comprising: a plungerresponsive to a magnetic field; a spring disposed to interact with theplunger, wherein the plunger is pushed by the spring to a first positionwhen the magnetic field is removed, and the plunger compresses thespring to a second position when the magnetic field is applied; abattery; and a control piece coupled to the battery and the plunger,wherein the control piece comprises power output contacts, and whereinelectrical power from the battery is enabled at the power outputcontacts with the plunger at the first position and the electrical powerfrom the battery is disabled at the power output contacts with theplunger at the second position.
 2. The power source apparatus of claim1, wherein the plunger comprises one of two material types selected froma group consisting of a ferromagnetic material and a ferrimagneticmaterial.
 3. The power source apparatus of claim 1, wherein the springis disposed to have one end of the spring against a fixed structure andother end of the spring against a top side of the plunger.
 4. The powersource apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring is a coil spring.
 5. Thepower source apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plunger comprises arod-portion and a flange-portion, and wherein the spring is disposedaround the rod-portion of the plunger to have one end of the springagainst a fixed structure and other end of the spring against theflange.
 6. The power source apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controlpiece comprises a circuit board affixed to a bottom surface of theplunger, wherein a battery-contact-pad on a bottom side of the circuitboard is connected to a terminal of the battery to enable the powersource when the plunger is at the first position.
 7. The power sourceapparatus of claim 1, wherein the control piece comprises a circuitboard having the power output contacts, and wherein the battery isdisposed below the plunger and the circuit board disposed below thebattery with the power output contacts facing downward.
 8. The powersource apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control piece comprises acircuit board having a battery-contact-pad on one side of the circuitboard and power-control-pads on other side of the circuit board, whereinthe circuit board is disposed in a stationary position to makeelectrical contact between the battery-contact-pad and a terminal of thebattery, and wherein said two power-control-pads are electricallyconnected by the plunger when the plunger is at the first position andelectrically disconnected when the plunger is at the second position. 9.The power source apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a switch holderto hold the plunger and the spring, wherein the switch holder, theplunger, the switch, the battery and the control piece are shrinkwrapped using a heat sensitive material into a power switch module. 10.The power source apparatus of claim 9, wherein the switch holdersurrounds the plunger, and the spring to constrain lateral motion of theplunger and the spring.
 11. The power source apparatus of claim 9,wherein the control piece comprises a circuit board having the poweroutput contacts, wherein the switch holder, the plunger, the switch, thebattery and the circuit board are stacked vertically to form verticallystacked parts, and wherein the heat sensitive material is applied aroundsaid vertically stacked parts.
 12. The power source apparatus of claim1, wherein the magnetic field is caused by a magnet near the plunger.13. A capsule camera system, comprising: a housing adapted to beswallowed; a power source within the housing comprising: a plungerresponsive to a magnetic field; a spring disposed to interact with theplunger, wherein the plunger is pushed by the spring to a first positionwhen the magnetic field is removed, and the plunger compresses thespring to a second position when the magnetic field is applied; abattery; and a control piece coupled to the battery and the plunger,wherein the control piece comprises power output contacts, and whereinelectrical power from the battery is enabled at the power outputcontacts with the plunger at the first position and the electrical powerfrom the battery is disabled at the power output contacts with theplunger at the second position; and a capsule sub-system within thehousing comprising: a light source; a camera for capturing a digitalimage of a scene illuminated by the light source; and an archival memoryto store data or a transmitter to transmit the data, wherein the datacorresponds to the digital image; and wherein the capsule sub-system iscoupled to the power output contacts to receive power from the powersource.
 14. The capsule camera system of claim 13, wherein the housinghas an elongated shape, and wherein the power source and the capsulesub-system are stack longitudinally inside the housing.
 15. The capsulecamera system of claim 14, wherein the magnetic field is caused by amagnet placed near one end of the housing close to the power source. 16.A capsule camera system, comprising: a housing having an elongated shapeand adapted to be swallowed; a power source within the housing locatedat a first end of the housing, the power source comprising: at least onebattery; a first battery-contact pad contacting a first polarityterminal of said at least one battery; a first circuit board comprisinga second battery-contact pad contacting a second polarity terminal ofsaid at least on battery; and power-output nodes facing away from thefirst end of the housing; a capsule sub-system within the housingpositioned further from the first end than the power source, the capsulesub-system comprising: a light source; a camera for capturing a digitalimage of a scene illuminated by the light source; a memory for storingat least a portion of the digital image captured by the camera; and asecond circuit board; and an electrical interconnect between the powersource and the capsule sub-system connecting the second circuit board tothe power-output nodes, wherein the electrical interconnect compriseselectrical contacts at one or both ends, wherein electrical power issupplied to the capsule sub-system from the power source through theelectrical interconnect, and wherein at least one of the electricalcontacts, either between the electrical interconnect and thepower-output nodes or between the electrical interconnect and the secondcircuit board, is a pressure contact.
 17. The capsule camera system ofclaim 16, wherein the electrical interconnect is flexible.
 18. Thecapsule camera system of claim 16, wherein the electrical interconnectis located along a longitudinal centerline of the capsule.
 19. Thecapsule camera system of claim 16, wherein the power source contains amagnetically actuated switch, wherein one of the battery contact pads iselectrically connected to one of the power-output nodes when the switchis closed.
 20. The capsule camera system of claim 16, further comprisinga spring positioned inside the housing to push at least one portion ofthe capsule sub-system towards the power source.
 21. The capsule camerasystem of claim 20, wherein a stop mechanism is positioned between thepower source and the capsule sub-system to stop movement of the at leastone portion of the sub-system towards the power source.
 22. The capsulecamera system of claim 21, wherein the stop mechanism is positioned onat least two sides of the electrical interconnection.
 23. The capsulecamera system of claim 22, wherein the stop mechanism is a holder forthe electrical interconnection.
 24. The capsule camera system of claim22, wherein the stop mechanism is attached to the circuit board insidethe capsule sub-system.